Two excerpts from the Sequel.

From the introduction to the sequel. 

"The first book opens with Mark getting fascinated by a new volcanic island developing in the North Pacific, while preparing for the Halloween Festival they have held on their farm for the local town two years previously. Mark has decided to reduce his labors on the farm and leases out most of the acreage to local farmers when he is visited by a representative of the Dept of Agriculture demanding he insert into his land leases the same ethanol agreement he had with the department.  He refuses. He is threatened." 


 From the first chapter of the Sequel

“Now Madam, as far as the letter in front of you, as Secretary of State, you may be obligated to take a stance, to make an opinion known about the request from the group of Americans who have moved out there to that new island in the pacific. They’re requesting that their citizenship be revoked, and that the island belongs to them being the first to have settled there. They have been on the Island since last April and they have named it “Montesquieu.”  The stories have been all over the media. Even the popular talk show hosts have been making a big deal out of it.”

“Yes, I’ve read those accounts too, Frank.”

“Some of those reporters have strayed from the script.”

“What do you suggest Frank?”

“Read the letter first madam Secretary and then it’d probably be best to call in the group of 20 to get a consensus. I’ve already sent a copy to each of them and have requested a meeting for next month. The CIA has been given a copy and has been requested to investigate each of the 263 signatories.  You know Madam, that there are some 35 children out there also, and from looking at the signatures, the children appeared to have signed below their parents.”

“Disgusting,” the Secretary says. “Who do they think they are forcing the children to sign a document they don’t even understand?”

High school track team disqualified for religious expression.

"Constance experience has shown that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go." Montesquieu.

Another example of power gone mad. Political correctness. Officials scared that they might offend the wrong people, but unafraid of offending the right people.

Just a question here: if the sprinter knelt down on his knees and kissed the earth and hugged a tree, would the team have been disqualified?  If the sprinter had shouted "allah is great", would the team have been disqualified? If the sprinter had yelled out "Nike shoes are fantastic'" would the team had been disqualified? If the sprinter had yelled out "the Boy Scouts are bigots," would the team had been disqualified?

The Columbus High School Mighty Cardinals had won the 4x100-meter relay--by seven yards, no less--and had a shot at the state championship. That was until Junior sprinter Derrick Hayes pointed to the sky.  Hayes's father, K.C., said that his son made a gesture of thanks to God, but raising a hand to the sky is considered excessive celebration according to the state scholastic rules. And with that, the team was disqualified. 

 

Montesquieu New World Island: Reviews

Montesquieu New World Island: Reviews: Reviews.

Why did I name the book 'Montesquieu'?

"Of all the source material quoted by our Founding Fathers, Charles baron de Montesquieu was at or near the top. As one of France's top minds on political science during the Enlightenment (particularly his ideas on separation of powers), Montesquieu's pearls of wisdom were sure to filter down to America's founders, who were more than anxious to learn all they could about the ins and outs of republican government. And Montesquieu had plenty to say on the matter."

Click to read the rest of the story.

The author of this novel is Arnold Kropp, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the Cubs and the Bears and some fantastic museums. He went on to college immediately after high school, but could not get wrapped up in a subject, a major that was really up his alley, so he enlisted in the Army and served in Germany during the years the Berlin wall was built. Seeing what effects Soviet communism had on the people of East Germany left a deep impression on him. During those years, he would write many long letters home starting a desire to write more than just letters. This book is the first novel length work accomplished to date. No editors, no professionals have contributed to this work. It's all his. The cover and all 364 pages are his own creation. He'll take the blame for any of the grammatical mishaps. And Microsoft Word should take part of the blame for any misspellings. You'll have to review it for readability.

The idea for this book came about when he and his son were sitting on the deck discussing the political disaster that America has undergone since 9/11, when the idea of the story line for this novel evolved; a new island develops capturing the interest of some citizens who desire to leave the good life behind to establish a brand new colony on their own terms.

Why would 10 American citizens living the good life decide to leave it all behind establishing an entirely new colony on a brand new volcanic island?  What drove them to make such a drastic move?  How would they survive?  

Who is Montesquieu?

 Montesquieu New World Island




An excerpt from the book follows.

Mark continues reading the latest news for an hour or so while Susan is busy baking an apple and banana cream pie for the company later on.   Mark hears a knock on the front door, but Susan was passing the door on her way to the bedroom, opens it to a gentlemen she does not know.  He introduces himself as Jason Walker from the Department of Agriculture, showing her an identification badge.  “Mark” she calls out.  “It’s a gentleman from the Department of Agriculture,” As she invites the youngish man in out of the rain.  

“Now what?” Mark mumbles to himself as he approaches the vestibule.  

"Greetings Mr. Tebonson, I’m Jason Walker, agent for the Department of Agriculture to talk with you about your intent to lease out your acreage.”  

 “Good morning Mr. Walker, come on in and have a seat.  It’s a nasty wet morning to be roaming around out here in rural Nebraska.  But come, have a seat.”  

“Thank You, Mr. Tebonson.  Yes it is, and your place out here is not that easy to find.” 

"So, Mr. Walker.  Did you say your first name is Jason?”  

“Yes sir.” Jason replies.  

“Has anyone ever called you jay walker?”   

“Oh yes sir, kids had a big time with that in school.  I then showed them how to walk like a J.   I would kick my right foot forward and bring it back in front of my left foot, and then the same with the left foot.  I’ve been kidded about it at the office too.”  

“Well, anyway, what’s on your mind?”  Mark Asks.